Idle hands ~ Chapter 3

There was no point in even asking him. Adam would not go and see a doctor, not about that.

Sam wandered aimlessly around Virginia city swinging her basket in front of her, trying to digest all that was said. She sighed heavily as she gazed at the dresses in the front window of the drapery store. She wasn't really seeing them she was thinking about Adam and wishing he wasn't so proud and stubborn. Doctor Martin said there were things that could be done but he would have to speak with both of them to ascertain if there was a problem or would they just conceive naturally in time. Her thoughts were scattered as gun shots reverberated from next door. A drunk ranch hand stumbled out of the saloon swearing that he would shoot down the very next man that crossed him. Two young and eager deputies from Sheriff Coffees office ran over and immediately took his gun from him and carted him off to the jailhouse to sober up. They tipped their hats to Sam as they passed.

"Never a dull moment is there,"

Sam turned to see Annie walking toward her, little Ben on her hip. She smiled warmly taking her hand.

"It's good to see you Annie, it's been too long."

"I know, I'm sorry. This little monkey has me run ragged. It's so good to see you too Sam. I have loads to tell you. Say, have you had lunch yet."

"No and I'm famished," Sam smiled.

~o~

Soon they were sitting in the Virginia city hotel restaurant eating tea scones and drinking coffee. Little Ben had, had a purée beef stew and he was just beginning to nod off. Annie and Sam were like sisters and Annie knew without being told that Sam was troubled. Sam trusted Annie. She was innocent and warm hearted and never said a cross word about anyone. And so eventually Sam found herself spilling her guts about the fact that they were having problems conceiving.

"But you have years yet Sam, it could happen any time."

"But what if it doesn't happen, what if we never have children Annie. I don't know if I could bare that."

"Sam, I don't mean this to be critical but is it possible you might be worrying too much. Sometimes things happen when you just let nature takes its course."

"You sound like Adam," Sam said as she stirred her second cup of coffee.

"Well perhaps he's right Sam."

"I don't know Annie. Doctor Martin wants Adam to come in, have a talk with him. Apparently he had an injury as a child and doctor Martin thinks that might have a baring on the situation."

"What injury?" Annie asked.

"He wouldn't tell me without Adam being present. He wants to see Adam."

"Don't worry so much Sam," Annie took her hand and squeezed it.

"Thanks Annie, I'm glad we did this. I needed to talk with someone. But please Annie, not a word to anyone."

"Oh gosh no, you don't even have to say it." Annie told her, her eyes growing wide at the thought.

"Not even Joe," Sam told her.

"Not even Joe," Annie promised.

Neither of them took much notice of the woman with spectacles sitting at the next table buried in her book.

Angela Manning inwardly smiled to herself.

It had been a tedious morning thus far. Virginia city did not stock any of the latest fashions in frocks and parasols and she could not make herself understood. The incompetent dressmakers simply could not follow instruction. Yes it had been a trying morning but this bit of gossip more than made up for it. An injury preventing him from fathering children. Interesting!.

~o~

Little Joe was surprised at the double whiskey that came his way. Friendly neighbours wouldn't normally stretch to a double whiskey. Joe was propped at the bar intent on washing trail dust from his throat before heading for home.

"Who sent this?" He asked the bar keep suspiciously.

"Guy over there," the bar keeper nodded.

Joe turned to see a man sitting alone at a table in the middle of the saloon. Joe felt he had to go and thank him properly.

"Thanks for this," he raised his glass and drained its contents.

"Won't you have a seat?" Vernon asked scraping the seat forward with his foot.

Vernon hailed a saloon girl. "Another for my friend." He told her.

"Are you always so generous to complete strangers," Joe asked, not quite sure what to make of this fella.

"You're Adam Cartwright's brother, that makes you a friend," Vernon told him.

"Oh yeah?, how do you know Adam?" Joe asked.

"Well, my Father had the pleasure of his company when he stayed in San Francisco last summer."

Pete, the bar man sat at the piano and began playing a round of cheerful tunes everybody knew, the saloon began filling up with the usual rabble from the local mines and all was warm and cheerful if not a little rowdy.

All was not warm in Joes heart though. He sat listening for hours about his brothers achievements, his difficult trek cross country with his father, his designing prowess on helping to build the Ponderosa.

"Are you an engineer as well Joe?" Vernon asked suddenly.

"No," Joe told him, deciding that the free whiskey wasn't worth this.

"Oh, what is it you do?"

"I work the ranch," Joe told him, feeling inadequate all of a sudden.

"Oh, you help your Father, that's good too. Your brother is a wonderful singer did you know that, he sang at a party my father gave at the house and I swear you couldn't hear a pin drop." Vernon shook his head. "Such talent."

~o~

Annie spooned cottage pie on to a plate and buttered two slices of bread. She put it down in front of Joe and poured a glass of milk. She said little, she knew by Joes face that there was a fierce thunderstorm raging inside.

"How can I compete with that," he raged suddenly, making her jump.

"Sorry," he said, taking her hand.

"How do you compete with a perfect brother. A brother that does nothing but achieve all his life. I see the way Pa looks at him. Maybe I should take a wagon and trek for miles with Pa just so I could be on equal terms. I know I'm being stupid Annie but..."

She smiled and chaffed his hand.

"What did Adam say?" she asked.

"It wasn't Adam," Joe told her.

"it was this guy in the saloon, he met Adam in San Francisco. He spent the whole night going on and on about him. I should be happy Annie, I know I should but it's always been people shaking his hand, people gathered round asking his opinion. I was born when the work was done and the Ponderosa was built. That's hardly my fault but it's like I'm never allowed to forget it."

"Joe, this is all in your head. You've worked alongside your brothers since you were old enough to ride a horse. Your Pa respects you but he would obviously gravitate towards Adam because he is so used to seeking his oldest sons opinion. There was a time when that opinion was all he had."

"Am I a bad person?" Joe asked her, wearing the kicked puppy dog look she loved so much.

"No," she smiled, sliding on to his lap and kissing him.

"But next time you want a drink come home and have one with your dinner and don't sit in a saloon talking to Adam loving losers."

Joe let loose one of his infectious giggles and hugged her tight.

"How did I get so lucky," he asked.

"Hurry up about eating that and then you'll find out how lucky."

~o~

Vernon left the Saloon just after Joe. Such awful places, when he drank usually it was in a private room in one of the better hotels. And he only ever drank fine sherry or champagne. But it had been a good night Vernon was satisfied with his work. Just then another inspiration came to him.

"Hello, you there, young man,"

The young livery stable boy stopped, unbelieving that somebody should be calling him.

"Come here,"

"Sir?"

"Boy, do you know Janet Cartwright?"

"No sir," the boy shrugged.

"Sure you do, Adam Cartwright's daughter."

"No sir, that's Janet Nash. The Cartwright's take care of her."

"How very noble of them, where are her parents?"

"Prison, I think,"

"It deflects a little that she's not his daughter but never mind. Boy how would you like to earn some real money," Vernon asked him.

"How much money?" The boy asked.

"More than you'll ever see at a livery stable."

The boys eyes grew wide. "What do I have to do?"